PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS 99 



song of the cardinal, the lively music of the robin, 

 the silvery song of the tree-pipit, the gentle cooing 

 of the dove — these and a thousand other less fa- 

 miliar melodies combine to give music to the woods 

 and fields and all who dwell therein. 



Not only do birds sing with great artistic ability, 

 and display exceptional talent in learning from 

 others, but many of them are equipped by nature 

 with instruments which correspond to those of a 

 man-made orchestra. They have wind and percus- 

 sion instruments, and we are forced to admit that 

 they knew and used these two principles of sound 

 production before man became aware of them. 



Many species of cranes and swans possess a pe- 

 culiarity that is most interesting. The famous 

 trumpeter swan is the best known of this group, 

 and his name is quite appropriate. The male birds 

 have wind-pipes of great length coiled in a long 

 pocket next to the keel of their breast-bones, and 

 these make a remarkable difference in their voices. 

 It gives them a resonance that is most pleasing; 

 they are playing on the French horns that nature 

 gave them. 



This elongated wind-pipe is not confined to these 

 birds only, but certain species of the passerine 

 birds, cousins to the bird of paradise, curassows, 

 geese, anseranas, and painted snipes, also possess 



